Presented by Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, the Manitoba Business Awards Gala is Manitoba Chambers of Commerce premier business event. Established in 1983 and held annually in the fall, this award-winning gala event recognizes businesses from all 4 corners of Manitoba that have achieved a standard of excellence in the community through their own abilities, efforts and initiatives. A spectacular night of prestige, entertainment and celebration, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Manitoba Business Awards recognize organizations in 5 different award categories.

Outstanding Not-for-Profit

Presented to a not for profit or philanthropic organization that exemplifies excellence and innovation in their programs, services and projects and their efforts to be self-sustaining. As well as their dedicated focus on achieving a social vision and mandate that makes an outstanding contribution to the social, cultural or economic well-being in their community. This year’s nominees are:

Long-Term Achievement

This award was established to recognize and celebrate outstanding long term business achievements by the Manitoba business community; all award recipients are evaluated on sustained growth, contributions to Manitoba employment and community involvement demonstrating a long-term commitment of at least 50 years in operation. This year’s nominees are:

Lieutenant Governor Award

Manitoba’s vibrant communities are shaped by the contributions of extraordinary businesses and individuals who live in them. Awarded to an individual as well as a company, they inspire by their example and we are honored to recognize them. The recipients of the Lieutenant Governor’s Awards are selected by an elite Jury Panel and are not part of the nomination process.

Individual

Brian Scharfstein is the President of Canadian Footwear and the FootHealth Centres, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is through his interest in footwear and how it can be used as a therapeutic tool that Brian became a Certified Canadian Pedorthist, specializing in the management of persons with diabetes and foot related complications. Pam Cipryk, Brian’s wife of 35 years, has been his partner in business during the same time. As a lifelong resident of Winnipeg, Brian and his family have deep roots in Manitoba, and in particular, Winnipeg, where Brian graduated from St. John’s Ravenscourt School.

Brian has been active in the business community in Manitoba, particularly in Winnipeg his entire life, but over the past decade, Brian has accepted leadership positions having served as the Chair of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce in 2013. Brian has also served on Board of Directors of organizations such as the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, Winnipeg Harvest, and the Downtown Biz. Brian is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Mount Carmel Clinic Foundation, and the City of Winnipeg Police Board. Brian is also the Chair of Grow Winnipeg for the Jewish Community.

Brian’s focus is not just business as he has a strong commitment to advance education in Winnipeg, leading him to accept the chair for the Capital Campaign for the new Red River Community College Innovation Campus. Brian strongly believes that this new campus located in the Exchange District will provide an exceptional opportunity for students and will also serve to accelerate the growth and success of downtown Winnipeg.

As a cheerleader for our city, Brian has worked with Tourism Winnipeg to successfully bring a number of National conferences to our city.

Philanthropy is an important part of Brian’s inner fabric, wheresome of his fundraising efforts have included the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, Siloam Mission, Habitat for Humanity, The Health Sciences Centre Foundation, Winnipeg Harvest and Jewish Child and Family Services.

Mentorship is critical for Brian. Both Futurpreneur Canada and Grow Winnipeg have enabled him to work with entrepreneurs integrating them into our community.

Brian is also highly aware of the importance of supporting persons in need to become productive members of the Winnipeg community involving himself with the John Howard and Elizabeth Fry Societies as well as assisting new Yazidi refugee families in their immigration to Winnipeg. Brian has a strong sense of community and he has worked with the city and province on issues that reflect growth and development and to attract new initiatives that support the province, city, and in particular, the downtown.

“Fit Feet on the Street”, a charity run by Canadian Footwear with the mantra that nobody should be without footwear has been an overwhelming success with this organization having provided countless pairs of footwear to residents of Winnipeg and other Manitoba First Nations communities in need of footwear. Brian, Pam, and their staff have also helped to coordinate Clothing Banks in Core Area facilities.

Pam and Brian have two daughters, Erica who is an active partner at Canadian Footwear and Macy, who, with her husband lives in Toronto with their two grandchildren.

Brian is a firm believer in the concept that if you can’t give of your money, you can give of your time to help build. This belief was instilled by his father and mother. The Scharfstein family have always supported the Winnipeg community.

Business

MNP is a leading national accounting, tax and business consulting firm in Canada; proudly serving and responding to the needs of their clients in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Through partner-led engagements, they provide a collaborative, cost-effective approach to doing business and personalized strategies to help organizations succeed across the country and around the world.

Founded in Brandon, MB in 1956, and now with over 4,000 staff, MNP is currently ranked as one of the largest professional service firms in Canada and has been named as one of Canada’s top 50 employers every year consecutively since 2009. MNP’s Winnipeg office is located in the heart of Winnipeg’s downtown at Portage and Main, and is the largest accounting, tax and consulting firm in the city with over 220 professionals who provide tailored expertise to their clients in both the public and private sectors. Today, MNP Winnipeg is proud to be a part of the city’s diverse economy and support the community where they live and work. As an office and firm, they encourage their team to be involved in local charitable organizations that enrich the lives of Manitobans.

In support of their entrepreneurial approach to business they are involved with organizations that promote start-ups and business in the city such as The Eureka Project and Yes! Winnipeg.

Community Support and Involvement – MNP’s Winnipeg office strongly supports some of the city’s key organizations and events including:

Cancer Care Manitoba

United Way

Can U See Possibilities

YES! Winnipeg

Economic Development Winnipeg

North Forge

The 34th Manitoba Business Awards will be handed out Friday, October 27 at the Canad Inns Polo Park. You can purchase your seats by clicking here.

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce would like to thank the following sponsors and partners for their support.